On Monday evening 7 September, a group of organizations and activists at the
Amsterdam Homomonument will organize a demonstration against the increasingly grim anti-LGBTI campaign in Poland. The organizers demand more action from the Dutch government, the European Union and denominations.
Demonstration against LGBTI hate Poland:
• Monday 7 September 2020 - 6.00-6.45 pm - Homomonument - Westermarkt - Amsterdam
• Have a look at Facebook events. HERE
• Bring a rainbow flag
• Follow the regulations against the Coronavirus (at the bottom of this message).
Hate campaign
The Polish government has been conducting an increasingly intense campaign of hatred against therainbow community for the past two years. Entire provinces and municipalities declare themselves "LGBTI-free zone," and President Duda made LGBTI hatred a key theme of his reelection
campaign earlier this year. The hate campaign has become increasingly grim in recent weeks.
On August 7, 48 LGBTI activists were arrested during a peaceful demonstration for the release of
transgender activist Margot Szutowicz, who had herself been arrested in an earlier protest. In late
August, the influential Polish Bishops' Conference called for "clinics" where people should be
upposedly "cured" of their sexual orientation. Polish Prime Minister Morawiecki almost
immediately embraced that call.
Call
With the demonstration, the organizers reinforce their demand that the Dutch government,
the European Union and churches should take more action against the anti-LGBTI hate campaign
in Poland. For example, they want Dutch denominations to discuss LGBTI human rights directly
with their Polish fellow believers and ask for clarification. They also want to encourage Polish
LGBTIs. The demonstration is organized by the COC, the Dutch-Polish network Nieheteronormatywne Niderlandy, pastor for the rainbow community of the Protestant Church Amsterdam Wielie
Elhorst and activist Hans Verhoeven.
Bring your rainbow flag ...
The organizers call on participants to bring a rainbow flag: "Out of solidarity with Polish LGBTIs,
we will create a sea of rainbow flags at the Amsterdam Homomonument on Thursday. Bring your
flag and be visible! "
Adhere to Corona regulations:
Keep 1.5 meters away, also on arrival and departure
Wear a mouth mask
Follow the instructions of the law enforcement officers
Stand on the indicated spots that are 2 meters apart on the ground
Do not change places during the demonstration
Do not form chants
